The pivotal Battle of Talas pitted the rapidly expanding Muslim armies against the forces of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. The outcome of the battle changed Central Asia for millennia to come. Watch the video below to find out more!
How Yaks Help a Village Stay Warm - The Untold Story of 'Yak Shing'
Every winter the people of Shaday take their Yaks to collect wood from the forests surrounding their village. This wood collected by the Yaks is called Yak Shing. It is an annual event at the village, one that is vital for their survival during the winter months. This practice is disappearing all over Ladakh and the Shaday village in Zanskar is the last place where the Yak-Shing is still being collected.
5 Sumerian Mysteries They Won't Teach You That Cannot Be Explained
In the following video we will take a look at 5 Sumerian mysteries that cannot be explained. Watch the video to find out more!
Scientists Discovered The First Anatomically Modern Humans in Israel
In the past, it was believed that the modern human race descended from a human ancestor, between 300,000 and 200,000 years ago. However, the exclusion of some living populations from the anatomically modern morphological classification was a problem.
Because of this, a 'cladistic' definition of Homo sapiens has been proposed, according to which the term would, by definition, refer to the modern human lineage that resulted from the division from the Neanderthal lineage. According to a cladistic definition, Homo sapiens have been around for more than 500,000 years.
An alternative definition of Homo sapiens includes the lineage of modern humans, since we diverged from the Neanderthals between 500,000 and 800,000 years ago. However, around 744,000 years ago, when combined with numerous early admixture events, and Denisovans diverging from Neanderthals 300 generations after their split from Homo sapiens, is the estimated time of the divergence between archaic Homo sapiens and ancestors of Neanderthals and Denisovans, which was caused by a genetic bottleneck of the latter.
Fylgja Sources: The Norse Spirit Animal
In Norse mythology, a fylgja is a supernatural being or spirit which accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune. Watch the video below to find out more!
Terrifying secrets from the dark age of Egypt you won't believe
Not much is known about the Egyptian Dark Age. From the downfall of Pharaoh's to rising power of nomarchs, many terrifyings things happened. What secrets did scientists discover from the dark age? Let's find out. From horrendous mummies to mysterious pyramids, Egyptian people have many intriguing stories deep buried in the dark past. Shall we go through the terrifying secrets of the Dark Age of Egypt?
Uncovering the Mysteries of Newly Found Lost Cities
In the following video we will uncover the mysteries of newly found lost cities. Watch the video to find out more!
Archaeologists Ventured Into Egyptian 'Cave' And Stumbled Upon An Unnerving Ancient Structure
The archaeologists tiptoe through the opening of an enormous structure, which lies in the sands a couple of miles from Aswan, Egypt. Light flickers against walls smeared with ancient ash — remnants of fires long-extinguished. As the explorers creep deeper inside, they come across an astonishing sight: this tomb holds secrets which have lain hidden for millennia.
Nemrut Dağı: Exploring the Ancient Ruins and Marveling at the Scenic Views
Nemrut Dağı is home to one of the most extraordinary monuments built in the 1st century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene. The site was used as a royal sanctuary for religious and funeral ceremonies, and it also functioned as a viewing platform for astronomical observations. The monument consists of a series of colossal statues, temples, and a royal tomb that showcase the fusion of Greek, Persian, and Armenian cultures.
The most prominent feature of the Nemrut Dağı monument is the arrangement of the colossal statues. The heads of the statues are said to represent various gods and goddesses, and they are located at the east and west terraces. In the center of the site, there is a large stone mound that is believed to be a royal tomb. There are also two temple structures, one located on the east terrace and the other on the west terrace, which are decorated with reliefs of lions, eagles, and other animals.
The Nemrut Dağı monument is considered a significant cultural heritage site due to its unique fusion of ancient cultures, as well as its impressive size and complexity. The site is also significant in terms of its astronomical and religious symbolism, which reflects the beliefs of the ancient cultures that inhabited the area. In 1987, Nemrut Dağı was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has helped to preserve its historical and cultural significance.
If you are planning to visit Nemrut Dağı, there are several things you should know. The site is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between April and October when the weather is mild. The climb to the top of the mountain can be challenging, so it's important to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. There is also a small fee to enter the site, and guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the history and significance of Nemrut Dağı.
Nemrut Dağı is a truly remarkable site that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural history of southeastern Turkey. Its unique architecture, religious symbolism, and fusion of ancient cultures make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in history and archaeology. If you are planning a trip to Turkey, be sure to add Nemrut Dağı to your itinerary. Thank you for watching this video, and we hope you found it informative and enjoyable.
Geneticists Find Girl With Parents From Two Different Species Through Ancient DNA Analysis
Imagine discovering that your parents were not even the same species! That's exactly what geneticists studying ancient DNA recently found when they uncovered the remains of a young girl whose mother was a Neanderthal and father was a Denisovan.
In this video, we'll delve into the fascinating story of this ancient hybrid girl and what it means for our understanding of human history. Enjoy!
If Antarctica Melts, Who Actually Survives?
Will your home be safe if Antarctica completely melts. In this video essay, we analyze what would happen to coastal cities around the world if Antarctica were to melt, leaving sea levels to rise hundreds of feet.
A forgotten Remnant of the Roman Empire?
In the video below we will be talking about a forgotten remnant of the Roman Empire. Watch the video to find out more!
Pompeii: The Secret History Revealed by Ancient Graffiti
The following video features interviews with experts in the field of archaeology and history, who explain how the graffiti found in Pompeii sheds light on everything from politics and religion to social status and personal relationships. The video also showcases some of the most interesting and well-preserved examples of Pompeii's graffiti, including humorous messages, insults, and even love notes.
3 Forgotten Hellenic Languages
The Hellenic Languages have had a huge impact in the world's languages, with over 12% of the English vocabulary coming from Ancient Greek roots. However, there are some overlooked and outright forgotten dialects and languages belonging to the Hellenic sub-branch that I hope to highlight in this video.
This 1400s Painting Is Weirder Than You Think. Here's Why!
This piece is called Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli and it's not your typical 15th century painting because it's a lot weirder. It features the goddess of love, Venus lounging in the woods with her lover and the god of war, Mars. We catch them sitting on a grassy patch of a forest after one of their rendezvous. Mars is sound asleep and completely unarmed while four tiny half-goat half-baby creatures play with his armor. Recently, an art historian named David Bellingham questioned whether the two figures in the painting were actually Venus and Mars. He proposed that they might instead be Adam and Eve from the Bible. This painting is full of fun and surprises. It might even be hiding a secret hidden meaning!
25 Most Mysterious Monuments on Earth
The most mysterious monuments on Earth wow visitors and continue to befuddle seasoned researchers. These monuments are some of the most spectacular destinations on earth, providing a glimpse into the past of civilizations that rivaled the greatest in history. However, these societies created ceremonial burial grounds and temples that defy what was common at the time. Great stone creations that weigh dozens of tons, aligned perfectly with the stars. How could they have done this? Who built these structures? Here’s a look at the most mysterious monuments in the world.
Archaeologists discover first representation of Mayan god K'awiil in Mexico
Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered a rare statue of Kʼawiil, the Maya lightning god.
Kʼawiil is associated with lightning, serpents, fertility, and maize, and is often represented having a zoomorphic head with large eyes, a long, upturned snout, and an attenuated serpent foot which represents a lightning bolt.
From descriptions of the Maya New Year rituals, written by Diego de Landa Calderón, a Spanish Franciscan bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Yucatán, and depictions of these rituals in the Dresden Codex, it can be inferred that Kʼawiil was called Bolon Dzacab during the 16th century.
Although depictions of Kʼawiil can be found in Maya reliefs and the Dresden and Maya codices of Mexico, only three statues of Kʼawiil have been previously discovered, all of which come from the city of Tikal in Guatemala.
Spectacular 2,300-year-old preserved Celtic scissors were discovered in Germany
2,300 years old, and yet it looks almost new: archaeologists have discovered a pair of scissors in a Celtic grave in Munich's Sendling district that even have a slight sheen. They also found a strangely folded sword, which has several possible explanations for its condition. According to the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (BLfD), other high-quality grave goods prove that the deceased had a high social status.
At the beginning of the current find history was the search for possible explosive devices from the Second World War in the Munich district of Sendling. In doing so, the explosive ordnance disposal team found underground structures that might be of archaeological interest and then informed the BLfD. Subsequent investigations then revealed that the cremation was about 2,300 years old. As the BLfD explains, the local Celts burned their dead and buried the remains in pits together with grave goods.
Why There is No Bridge Between Europe and Africa
Have you ever wondered why there is no bridge between Europe and Africa? This video documentary examines the map of both continents, revealing the geography and distance that remains a barrier to a bridge joining the two landmasses. From the depths of the Mediterranean Sea to the tiny strait of Gibraltar, this informative video unpacks how geography has played a major role in isolating Europe and Africa. This will help you understand why there is no bridge between these two large continents and if there is any potential to ever build one (or a tunnel).
How did the Sphinx look 5000 years ago?
In the following video we will be restoring the Sphinx to its original form, as if it was never eroded by time, by referencing artifacts, historical and archaeological references. Enjoy!
